at the concluding stage what they got during the lengthy process of cross-examination to fall back on.PTI lawyer Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, assisted by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) attorney Aitzaz Ahsan, is clearly trying to build up the case for the annulment of the polls. However, he is required to remain within the scope of inquiry, as spelt out in the presidential ordinance. It specifies that the commission will inquire into and determine whether or not the elections were organized and conducted impartially, honestly, fairly, justly and in accordance with law; whether or not the polls were manipulated or influenced pursuant to a systematic effort by design by anyone; and whether or not their results on an overall basis are a true and fair reflection of the mandate given by the electorate.
Although the 45-day time given to the commission to complete its inquiry expires on the last day of the current month, the forum has powers to go beyond it.When former election commissioner of Punjab Mehboob Anwar deposed before the commission, facing hundreds of questions, the challengers of the elections were exited to note that extra ballot papers were printed to use them against the PTI although this happened in all the previous polls since 1970 to meet different emergency situations.
The PTI has dropped Nabeel Gabol as witness for its own reasons. His statement was expected to be restricted to just one National Assembly constituency of Karachi, NA-246, which he had contested on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) ticket. Similarly, the PTI also did not prefer to call the former election commissioner of Sindh and a couple of managing directors of government-run printing presses because they were going to support the version of their colleagues, who had been cross-examined.
The upcoming testimony of Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan, who by virtue of being the ECP secretary at the time of 2013 elections played a key role in the process, will be important. Along with him, the incumbent ECP secretary has also been summoned to also answer questions about his role as the chief secretary of Balochistan, a post he held when the polls were held. Besides, some other senior ECP officials are also likely to be called to depose as witness and face cross-examination.
Among the individuals and institutions that have been consistently attacked for umpteen times for having rigged the elections, the ECP earned the maximum flak. It has been clarifying its position, but it will get the first opportunity at the highest judicial forum to present its side of the story.